Dear Readers: For those of you that love my story I accidently earased it. Don't ask me why and don't ask me how but It was in Accident. I probably wasn't thinking. Anyways as always I thank all of you who reviewed. Happy reading everyone.

Trust a Bandit

Chapter 1

A girl of about 11 years old was running to the house to tell her father that she went flower picking today. She told her father that she went into a forest to gather lilies just for him. Her father gazed up at her from his bed and hugged her. She always liked making her father feel better. She knew that her father was still recovering from the flu he just had. But that didn't stop her from making a celebration for her father's birthday. She also started decorating the house with more lilies she gathered.

"Look father, I brought some more flowers to decorate the house" she said excitingly.

"It lightens my heart to see you so happy Mei-li" said Bao-zhi.

"Thank you Father" she said with a smile. "It lightens my heart as well to see you feeling better. I hope you gathered enough strength because your birthday is tomorrow."

"I'll feel better, but I hope that you cleaned up your room young lady."

Mei-li then made a frustrated face "Oh father you know how much I hate that chore. But if it makes you feel better I'll go and do it."

With that she hugged him and left to her room.

Later that night Mei-li was still awake thinking of her mother. A few tears gather on her eyes. Just thinking of her made her sad. Her mother Ai-mu was really a beautiful woman. She had long black hair and blue sapphire eyes. Mei-li was also the image of her mother. Her mother always believed that her daughter would look like her. Still she couldn't forget that horrible night when she was in the room with her mother telling her that she would be alright. Mei-li was 7 years old. Ai-mu suffered from pneumonia and got weaker everyday. Bao-zhi was worried so in the middle of the night he left quickly to search for a doctor. But by the time her father came back with the doctor Ai-mu died in Mei-li's arms. She still remembered her mother's words "Always know that you're not alone and that I will be in your heart forever."

After her mother's death she also realized that she was a bit frightened too. She was thinking of her father too. She was afraid that he would die. A day after her mother's death, Mei-li would always go at night to check on her father fearing he would die. Once her father realizes that she was doing this, he told her not to worry about him. He also promised her that he would never leave her side for as long as he lived. Mei-li still had her doubts so one day she told her father to move her bed into his room. Then her father chuckled and said "Mei-li, didn't I tell you I wasn't going to leave your side no matter what?" She nodded and he continued "That doesn't mean for you to think that I will run away or die of an illness if that is what you're afraid of?" Mei-li blushed a little bit and said "I want to make sure your okay and that nothing will happen to you." Then her father said "Why don't we try it for one day, we will move your bed to my bedroom and see if you're willing to stay up all night watching out for me" Mei-li had never stayed up all night before but she said "I'll do it!" Mei-li did stay up all night but then when she couldn't stand it no longer she fell on the bed and went to sleep. Her father woke after Mei-li had barely gone to bed. Her father laughed softly so he wouldn't wake her up. Mei-li woke up during the afternoon. She found her father watering some plants in the garden. Then she went to him and told him that she tried her best. Bao-zhi was proud of Mei-li. He was even prouder when he heard her saying that he can take care of himself. He was happy to hear those words, no just to stop Mei-li from worrying but he was happy to hear that she had learned to trust him. Then she also realized how silly she had acted. Mei-li smiled at that memory and she fell into a happy slumber dreaming of her mother and father.

Mei-li woke up the next morning to cook breakfast for her father. She woke up a little earlier since it was her father's Birthday. During the time that her mother lived Mei-li learned how to become a great cook. "At least I have something to remember from my mother" she thought as she was making some pork with Beef and some fish that her father caught yesterday. She wanted her father to have the best breakfast ever. When her father woke up she surprised him by shouting "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" her father was surprised when her daughter ran to him and gave him a hug.

"This is quite a surprise Mei-li" he said as he sat down at the table.

"I made you some pork with beef and some fish and I should also serve you some rice."

As they ate her father was talking about the activities they had planned out for the day. Mei-li was so happy that they were going to go fishing together.

Once they were done with their meal Mei-li went to her father and said

"I also made a poem for you" she said happily as she handed him the paper.

The name of the Poem was called "My heart is filled with love"

When he read it he couldn't help but hug his daughter "Mei-li this is a beautiful poem even though it has a few mistakes I found." He said teasingly.

Mei-li knew that her writing was getting better and still needed more practice so she responded at his teasing and smiled. Then they got their fishing supplies and left their village that had a trail which lead to a river that looks like it was flowing peacefully. Mei-li couldn't help but smile at all the scenery in front of her. It was summer and it was really warm. Hearing all the noises like the water flowing and the wind in her face it was just the perfect day for fishing. She closed her eyes and started relaxing. Then all of sudden her father threw water on her face.

"Hey what was that for?" she said as she was coughing a little.

"I'm sorry Mei-li I just wanted to make sure you were awake" he said with a grin on his face.

Soon enough Mei-li started to grab some water on got her father wet. He started laughing and splashed her back. Then it turned into a water war. They accidentally knocked themselves down on the river. Since the river was as deep as their knees they were not worried. Bao-zhi was smiling with a "there's no way you can win against me" look. Mei-li wouldn't give up easily so she knew she couldn't avoid the water so then she reacted quickly and she was able to jump in the air and fly for like a second. She accidentally fell on top of her father. Bao-zhi was surprised to see how high her daughter jumped.

Mei-li got of her father and had a strange look on her face. Bao-zhi didn't know what she was thinking so he put a hand on her shoulder and said

"Mei-li are you feeling alright?"

She didn't know what happened to her. For a moment she was trying to avoid all the water her father was throwing. Then she was surprised when she jumped in the air and flew for a few seconds. She didn't know if it was magic but when her thoughts were interrupted by her father she saw a worried expression on his face. He repeated his question again and Mei-li quickly changed her face with smile

"Yes I am doing alright, don't worry about me I just startled myself when I jumped on top of you. I hope I didn't break anything?"

Bao-zhi then saw she was worried about hurting her father. He said in a comforting tone

"No you didn't harm me in any way. Although I got to say that jump you made in the river really amazed me. Did you know you could do that?"

"No" she said "Let's just forget about it." Then she paused and remembered her victory in the river. "Do you admit defeat then?" She said with a victorious expression.

Knowing that Mei-li was in a better mood he said "I will admit defeat Mei-li, you are the winner, but I won't go easy on you next time."

Then they both were tired from their battle in the water. They both took a nap under the tree and after about 2 hours they heard a splashing noise. They heard fishes in the water. They quickly got up and went in front of the river. Bao-zhi told Mei-li to stay silent. Then he told her to wait until he counted to three. Then he counted to three and they jumped in the river. Bao-zhi caught one but it slipped out of his hands. Then he saw Mei-li with a little fish but then the fish managed to dislodge itself and slapped Mei-li in the face. She was not going to give up. Then she spotted a huge fish. She quickly jumped and grabbed the fish by the tail. She was about to lose it when her father came up behind her to hold the fish

"I can't hold on to it" she was struggling but then Bao-zhi gave her a hard look and said

"Don't think of giving up" soon enough Mei-li was getting a little stronger and managed to pull the fish out. Once they were able to get the fish out they saw how big the fish was.

"This is the biggest fish I ever caught" she said with surprise.

"Don't you mean we caught" he said

Mei-li sighed then smiled "Alright then this is the biggest fish WE caught.

Since they have been in that river for almost three hours they decided it was time to go home. They left the river and started walking toward a trail that would bring them home. The sun was already setting and it got darker and darker as they were walking home.

"I had such a wonderful time father" Mei-li said with satisfaction

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself" he said then "Mei-li is not just the fishing that was fun but to be there with you was all that mattered to me"

Mei-li was touched at her father's words but instead said

"This fish is going to fill me up all the way, I won't be surprised if we have seconds after that" she said

Her father started laughing but then as they were nearing the village Mei-li heard a rock drop on the ground behind her.

"Father did you hear anything" she said with worry

"No Mei-li maybe it was just your imagination" he said

"I guess your right" she said but then she became more alert and saw some shadows up in the trees.

"Father Wait I think we are being watched" she said

"Mei-li will you stop worrying I told you there isn't any….."

Suddenly a bunch of men jumped out from the trees and grabbed Mei-li. Bao-zhi then started going towards the man that held Mei-li captive. Mei-li on the other hand was fighting back by biting him in the arm. The man gave a loud yowl and started pulling the girl's hair. Then a man with brown hair and jewelry came up and said

"Enough" he looked like a man with evil written all over his face. His eyes were grey and his dark brown hair was in a style made for a bandit. He had jewelry in his ears and neck and the clothes he was wearing were made of expensive material. Though he looked handsome standing there like a leader he was up to something and by the look that his men were giving him they all knew what was coming. Then suddenly all the men stopped and did as they were told.

The leader of the group came up to the girl and grasped her chin tightly under his fingertips and said

"Well look what we have here" then he looked up to Bao-zhi and said "Bao-zhi, Bao-zhi haven't you learned that it isn't safe to walk at night especially with this little treasure." All the men were laughing but said nothing more.

Bao-zhi then gave the man a hatred look and said "I don't need for you to give me advice on anything Shan and you better let go of my daughter or I'll kill you."

Shan found this amusing and said "No I don't think we will be giving you this girl any time soon. She now belongs to me"

Bao-zhi then took out his knife and said "How about I challenge you to a duel, if I win you give me back my daughter if lose then I will give you all the money I have."

Shan thought for a moment then said "It's a deal then"

Mei-li had her mouth clamped by one of the men. She hated looking at this hideous man. He smelled like wet dog and she could tell from that this man had been drinking. His brown hair was too unruly and his eyes looked like a savage that wants to kill its prey. She bit the man's hand and yelled

"Father please don't do this you'll get yourself killed"

The man gave a loud cry and was cradling his hand from her bite then he took the girl by the waist with a knife on her throat and said "You do that again girly and you'll wish you've never been born"

She complied with the man and couldn't believe that her father was about to battle this horrible man. She then wondered how she knew that man. So many questions started developing on her mind.

Her father turned around and said "Hey get that knife away from my daughter" he then turned to Mei-li and said "Listen Mei-li I want you to be strong and hang on. I have to do this. Please don't say anything. Everything will be fine." With that he turned around and faced Shan. Shan took out a weapon from his hand and threw it on the ground. With an evil smile on his face he said

"How about we fight with our bare hands man to man battle"

Bao-zhi then dropped his own knife on the ground and said "Fine"

Then soon Shan made the first move and used his fist to punch Bao-zhi in the face.

Bao-zhi blocked his fist with his hand. He then punched Shan in the stomach. Shan fell to the ground then grabbed Bao-zhi's foot and dropped him on the ground then he locked him with his legs and started punching him in the face. Bao-zhi started getting a nose bleed and got some of his teeth knocked out.

Mei-li couldn't stop crying. Her father getting attacked by this cruel man just made her heart sink. She knew there was nothing she could do for her father. After all those years of looking out for her father she suddenly felt useless.

When he stopped punching her father Shan got up quickly and got his knife and said "I did tell you I wasn't going to use a weapon but that doesn't mean that I can change my mind" he walked up to Bao-zhi laying on the floor.

Bao-zhi was breathing hard and then said "Considering the way you fight you shouldn't even be called a man"

That really angered Shan and lifted the knife in the air. With that he quickly brought the knife down thinking that the heart was best option to get Bao-zhi. With incredible strength Bao-zhi rolled over and barely managed to escape. He got up and said with a savage smile on his face

"You thought it was that simple to get rid of me, you have no idea what you're up against"

Mei-li was filled with relief. When she saw that knife go up in the air she thought her father was going to die.

Shan then screamed and ran towards Bao-zhi but before he could even reach him Bao-zhi grabbed Shan and slammed him onto the ground with great force. All his men saw with shocked looks on their faces. Shan hated this humiliation with his men. Probably the men thought "The great Shan is defeated by a villager." Shan wasn't able to get up but said

"There's no way you're getting away" he was coughing and some blood came out

Bao-zhi ignored him and then went up to the man holding his daughter and said "Since I managed to knock out your leader you better hand me back my daughter unless you want to suffer they same way your leader has."

The man suddenly was afraid and quickly let go of the girl. Mei-li quickly went to her father and was gathered in her father's arms.

"Did you have to scare me like that?" she said with some anger in her voice.

"It's okay Mei-li it's over" he said with a comforting voice "Why don't we go home now."

Mei-li and her father started walking home.

Suddenly Shan managed to get up. He grabbed the knife and with a few yards away from Mei-li and Bao-zhi he quickly threw the knife and it landed on Bao-zhi's back.

Mei-li screamed as her father had a shocked look on his face and fell down to the ground. That's when Shan looked at the girl and said

"Don't worry I won't take you away however your father did promise me all his fortune so if you don't mind I will be taking what's mine later on."

Mei-li was crying and got up and told him "Someday I will make you pay for this."

Filled with pure hatred on her eyes she saw the bandit laughing and said

"Well since you're a girl and I am bigger than you I doubt you'll be able to take me on."

With that he left and ordered his men to make preparations for his battle with some other bandits he was talking about. Mei-li didn't hear but then she saw her father and quickly went down on the ground. Her father wasn't moving. She still had hope that her father was alive. Then she heard her father groaning and he slightly opened his eyes. Looking up at her he used his finger delicately to move get the tears of Mei-li. Mei-li put her father's hand on her cheek and said

"Father please don't leave me I don't want to lose you"

Bao-zhi said with weakness "Please don't cry for me Mei-li. I want you to listen to me. Do you remember when I told you that I was not going to be here forever? Now is the time that you learn to look out for yourself. I know what I am saying is hurting you but you have to be strong and promise me that you will be happy."

Mei-li couldn't stop crying but then thought that the only way to please her father was to say yes. She then said "Alright, for you I will be strong. But you will live." She got up quickly and said "I'll go find a doctor."

She didn't hear her father respond and then she looked at him and realized that he was dead. Mei-li couldn't believe this. Her father died on his birthday and all they did was go on a fishing trip to enjoy themselves. He seemed so alive a few hours ago and was filled with so much health and joy in his eyes. All that happiness eventually came to an end.

Mei-li knew she couldn't go on. Instead of leaving her father she lay next to her father and hugged him. She didn't want to leave him. She tired herself from crying and then fell asleep.

Yes Uploaded Chapter 1. On with Chapter 2.